FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF News ) – An early morning fire on Wednesday destroyed the original Juneteenth museum in Fort Worth.
Firefighters responded to the blaze just after 1 a.m. at 1104 Evans Avenue near East Rosedale on the city’s south side.
When crews arrived, the one-story building was engulfed in flames.
Opal Lee, the woman known as the grandmother of Juneteenth, has run the museum for decades and told our media partner WFAA TV that despite the tragedy there is a silver lining.
“I am delighted that we got most of the things out that we will be using in the new museum,” she said. “There was so much to learn. So much for the youngsters to learn about Juneteenth. We had exhibits to show them. They were crude but they were exhibits.”
The artifacts in question had already been removed as plans move forward for a new museum.
According to the Fort Worth Fire Department, structures on each side of the building were damaged due to the fire.
One person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. There were no other injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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